Border Patrol agents in Del Mar apprehend 18 people

Border Patrol agents in Del Mar on April 29 rounded up 18 people suspected of entering the country illegally by boat, and two of them were taken to a hospital to be treated for possible hypothermia.

An outboard-powered open-hull fishing boat known as a panga was found near Fourth Street, about a quarter-mile south of Torrey Pines State Beach, about 12:45 a.m., Border Patrol Agent Gerardo Gutierrez said.

Border Patrol agents seized the panga and apprehended 15 men, two women and an underage boy, Gutierrez said. All but one were Mexican nationals and the other was a United States citizen, he said.

The U.S. Coast Guard assigned a helicopter crew to aid Border Patrol agents in the search of the area, Petty Officer 1st Class Henry Dunphy said.

The two women were taken to a hospital to be evaluated for possible hypothermia, Gutierrez said. The others were taken to the Border Patrol station.